If winning an Oscar for her first role wasn’t enough, Lupita Nyong’o can add another honor to her list of awards. The “12 Years A Slave” breakout star (and our beauty idol) was named People Magazine‘s “Most Beautiful Person”! Kerry Washington, Paula Patton and Gabrielle Union also join Lupita on the annual list.

“It was exciting and just a major, major compliment,” she said to People. “I was happy for all the girls who would see me on (it) and feel a little more seen.”

We all know Lupita is beautiful to begin with, but the star admitted to People that she once went blonde in hopes of finding a look that works for her. “It was very strange and very cold,” she said. “It was scary, but I like to dare myself.” Now that she’s rocking her natural hair proudly, Lupita says she appreciates the compliments that don’t just focus on her looks on the red carpet. The best compliments are “when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of makeup on and also before I comb my hair or put on a pretty dress.”